Symptoms of Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders

Modified: 2023-10-31

1. irritability: more than usual level
2. pounding heart: without a physical cause
3. dry mouth: no saliva
4. impulsiveness: more than usual level
5. urges to run, cry, or hide: usually indicate severe stress
6. inability to concentrate: more than usual level
7. tics: involuntary movements, twitches
8. migraines: frequently caused by stress
9. feelings of unreality: e.g., "This is not really happening to me."
10. loss of "spark": less than usual level of energy
11. easily startled: more than usual level
12. teeth grinding: while sleeping, usually discovered by bed partner, or by chronically sore jaw muscles.
13. trouble sleeping: more trouble than usual
14. frequent urination: usually without much volume
15. diarrhea
16. stomach upset
17. missed menstruation: common in athletes due to training, but also seen as a result of malnutrition and other stress
18. neck or back pain: especially if recurrent
19. changes in food intake: up or down
20. change in smoking amount: up or down
21. change in alcohol use: up or down
22. nightmares: especially if recurrent
23. accident proneness: more than usual level
24. hives

High levels of anxiety may lead to anxiety disorders. Those disorders may vary in intensity from mildly annoying to intensities requiring hospitalization.

Phobias are irrational fears. Spiders, snakes, the dark, and fear of heights are common kinds of phobias. Although the notion of phobias derives from psychoanalytic theory, the best approaches for therapy have been behavioral. Chapter 19 lists several methods by which such fears can be successfully dealt with. A relatively common phobia that is not usually observed is agoraphobia. Agora is the greek word for marketplace, so agoraphobia is fear of the marketplace, or fear of going outdoors. Agoraphobics are not usually seen because they often remain in their houses.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder also can range from mildly irritating to requiring hospitalization. In this disorder, people develop routines that help them cope. They can be simple tics or mannerisms, or they can be behaviors like hand washing or cleaning house. In one severe case, a women was so obsessive-compulsive that any garment she owned had to be cleaned if it was touched. All of her garments were kept in plastic garment bags, just to lessen the possibility of germs. In an episode of the TV series "M*A*S*H," Frank Burns develops an obsessive-compulsive routine when Hotlips leaves him. He begins to arrange all of the condiments in the mess hall very precisely. Such behaviors are typical of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Generalized anxiety is when sympathetic autonomic symptoms accompany increased levels of stress. A swimmer may routinely feel nauseous before a meet because of the stress of the impending competition, for instance. Or an executive may feel queasy and have sweaty palms prior to giving a presentation.